New Delhi: Three militants were killed on Saturday in an encounter with the security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per reports, a top Hizb commander is believed to be among the slain militants.

“A total of five militants were trapped. Three have been neutralised. The group was combination of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Taiba militants. Most of them were involved in a series of terror acts including the killing of two bank employees and policemen,” said the police.

Acting on specific information about the presence of militants in Chowgam, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area this morning.

The security forces used an improvised explosive device to dismantle the house where the militants were hiding and firing at them. “One militant was killed outside the house when he tried to break the cordon. Others stayed back into the house that collapsed in a blast,” said a police official.

Operation underway

The police said the encounter was still going on in Chowgam after fresh fired was opened by the militants from the debris of the house.

Meanwhile, train services in south Kashmir have been suspended and the internet services stopped.